This Apple Walnut Cheesecake is creamy, rich and delicious, topped with a Cinnamon & Sugar Apple Walnut topping that gives it great flavor and crunch!
What is your favorite cheesecake flavor?
This is a long-time fan and family favorite. Notice I mention fan before family, yes?
Well that, right there, just proves it’s a favorite. I mean, your family can’t really say they don’t like something you’ve baked, right? Because if they did say that, you might (perhaps) slip a little sumthin’-sumthin’ in it, that they don’t like, the next time.
Like cucumbers, okra or red pepper flakes. You know what I’m sayin’? We cooks can hide that stuff.
“Mmmmmm good…” they say, moaning ~ yet, you can see the slight question of fear in their eye.
Nope. Family stays loyal, no matter how bad it is. Ya gotta love family.
Buttttt…, you can’t always trust them. Haha! JK. 🙂
Ok, let’s get real. This cheesecake. “Mmmmmm good…” For real.
This is one of the most requested recipes I get from friends. They love it.
IMO, the key to making this recipe is that you need to have tart (pucker up like your grandmother) Granny Smith apples.
This is important.
Why? Well, because… tart apples when mixed with rich, creamy, indulgent Cream Cheese Cheesecake with their tart Granny Smith apple selves, dripping with a crisp, sweet, cinnamon/sugar and walnut topping… seriously = to die for.
You will love this Apple Cheesecake with Cinnamon, Sugar & Walnut Topping!
p.s. When I chop the walnuts for the crust, I use a food processor so that they’re very fine. For the top, however, I hand-break them apart so I have larger pieces for a prettier topping and better crunch.
Enjoy!
Apple Walnut Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts **
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup real butter
Filling
- 2 8 ounce packages Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
Topping
- 4 cups apple slices peeled, cored and sliced thin
- 1/2 cup sugar*
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts **
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Crust
- Mix graham crackers, walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter together and press into the bottom of a 9" springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
Filling
- Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing at low speed after each addition until well blended. Pour over crust.
Topping
- Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon until well-coated. Spoon apple mixture over filling and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of plan to loosen cheesecake. Cool before removing cake from pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve!
Notes
** typically I make this with pecans, not walnuts, so feel free to substitute pecans - they are rich and fabulous in this!
ananda says
that’s genius! apple crisp and cheese cake 2-in-1!! LOVE LOVE!!! =) your apple tree is beautiful too!! ( oh kristi i made a comment on your salmon quiche but the page went blank, so it never got through)
Kristi says
Thanks Ananda! You would love this cheesecake – it’s a favorite of everyones!
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says
Yumm… I have a serious obsession with cheesecake and this looks so good. An excuse for making it even at Christmas time 😉
I’ve actually not tried that many different flavours. But I love it topped with berries or the lemon-poppyseed kind .
Kristi says
I love cheesecake topped with berries too! You’re making me hungry! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Yummm!! Lovee cheesecake and this looks so good Kristi…Some caramel sauce drizzled on top of this will be fantastic 😀 Pinning!
Kristi says
OMGosh, you’re right Manali – caramel sauce on this would be amazing! I need to try that next time!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
This looks delicious, Kristi. I’m pretty boring when it comes to cheesecake, generally my favorite is plain. But you’ve got me drooling with that crumbly topping!
Kristi says
I like cheesecake of all kinds 🙂 so plain sounds good to me!
Marcie says
I can see why this is your most requested recipe — it looks SO creamy, and with the walnuts in the crust, that streusel, and pucker up your mouth tart apples? Heaven! A big slice of heaven. Pinned.
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Marcie! We love this cheesecake!
whatjessicabakednext says
This cheesecake looks superb! Love the apple and walnut combo and it’s such an amazing idea combining those flavours into a delicious cheesecake! Bookmarking!
Kristi says
Thanks for the bookmark Jessica! We love this cheesecake, and I think you will too!
Medeja says
This cheesecake definitely sounds like a treat I must try 🙂 thanks!
Kristi says
Thanks Medeja! We love this cheesecake! Have a great week!
Tash says
Oh my goodness Kristi!! I knew from the name alone that this one was gonna be a stunner 😉 Perfect for Christmas – it might even be making an appearance on our table this year actually 🙂 Thanks for the recipe, fantastic photos too, mouth watering!
Sorry to have seemingly disappeared, life is crazy right now. Hopefully I will be able to join in on the baking fun again during Christmas break! I miss all of the homemade goodies :'(
Have a fab weekend 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Tash! Life is always crazy during the holidays – so no worries. It’s always lovely to hear from you! Have a beautiful week, my friend! xoxo
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe you are so funny. I don’t know if I see fear in my family’s faces-they’re probably too honest for that which can be a good or bad thing! 😛 But I’m absolutely positive that they’d love this!
Kristi says
Thanks Lorraine! So glad to make you laugh!
Monica says
This is so unique! It’s like a cheesecake-apple pie/crisp in one. It would be a knock-out way to cap off a dinner party.
Kristi says
Thanks Monica! You’re right – I never thought of it that way, but it is like apple crisp and cheesecake in one!
Kelly says
This cheesecake looks incredible!!! I love that you combined an apple crisp and cheesecake! I could definitely see why this is your most requested! It sounds amazing and that sugary apple walnut topping is totally calling my name! I
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! We really do love this one!
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
Ever since I’ve made apple cheesecake bars, this combination became one of my favorites too.. Yours looks truly irresistible.
Kristi says
Thanks Ella! Apple Cheesecake Bars sounds amazing too!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I think this is now my favorite cheesecake! lol! It looks amazing and you SOLD that apple walnut topping! I am a fan of any nut crust. Mmmmm. Cheesecakes and apples and nuts and brown sugar. Apparently I don’t hide evil surprises inside what I make enough because my husband has NO problem telling me exactly what he thinks until I say, “ENOUGH! I get it. You hated it. Moving on.” Seriously that man… But I’ll fix his wagon with your tip…tee hee! 😉
Kristi says
Hahahahaha! Lindsey, I ssssoooo love you. I really do. You make me laugh every.single.time. xoxo!
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
Apples and walnuts go perfectly together! This looks incredible!!
Kristi says
Thanks Kristi – we sssooo love this one! Have a great week!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
This could be my new favorite cheesecake!! My normal favorite is anything with peanut butter 🙂
Kristi says
I’m a huge fan of PB too Ashley – so I know what you’re talking about!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
You are so right Kristi!!!! I always serve food to my mum with an advance warning – they have to say it’s good NO MATTER WHAT ! hahahahah!!! But seriously though, who can say NO to cheesecake???? And especially a cheesecake like this with apples, walnuts and cinnamon? I need this in my life! <3
Kristi says
You’re right Samina! I don’t know a single person that can say no to cheesecake!
Annie+@+ciaochowbambina says
This sounds delicious! And your apple pictures are so pretty!
Kristi says
Thank you Annie – if you get a chance, you will love this cheesecake.
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Well I can see why your family likes it! These flavors sounds ADDICTING. Can you come to my birthday party next year and bring this? Pretty please?
Kristi says
Yes! I’d love to bring this to your birthday party Sarah! 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love the idea of apples and walnuts on my cheesecake. Usually I’m fan of eating it plain but I love this winter twist.
Kristi says
Thank you, Brandy! We love this cheesecake, and you’re right – it has a winter twist! 🙂
April says
sounds wonderful, i love cheesecake!
Kristi says
Me too April – I love cheesecake in EVERY form! 🙂
Mallory @ Chocolate with Grace says
I love these flavor! Apples and walnuts together are amazing!
Kristi says
Thanks Mallory! They are great flavors!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
Ha,ha Kristi, you always make me laugh!!! okra or red pepper flakes hidden in the recipe; HA, your family better watch out!! 😉 In all honesty, there would be no reason to pretend to like this cheesecake. It looks amazing!! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Renee! I love, love, love that I can make you laugh! 🙂 xoxo
K / Pure & Complex says
I don’t care what flavor of cheesecake you put in front of me, because I’m definitely gonna want a taste lol. This looks amazing
Kristi says
Hahahaha! You and me both! I love cheesecake of any kind!
dina says
looks like a lovely cheesecake!
Kristi says
Thanks Dina! I’m so glad you like it!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
This cheesecake sounds awesome!! I agree tart apples are the best for baking! So perfect for the season!
Kristi says
Thank you Jess – this is definitely a fall/winter cheesecake – I agree!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This cheesecake looks SO good! I love apples, but have never used them with a cheesecake. I’m pinning this for sure so I remember it for when I’m wondering what to do with all my apples next fall after we go picking.
Kristi says
Thanks Amy – I’m so glad to give you a recipe that will help with your apples next year. I know what you mean – I have an apple tree that’s very generous!